Automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism

ABSTRACT

An automatic transmission wherein means for effectuating a kickdown effect in an automatic transmission for the vehicle are provided, having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, wherein the transmission is provided with hydraulic torque converter means having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission, friction engaging means for determining the desired operative gearing for said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve and a distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into said friction engaging means; a signal generator means for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio and vehicle speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; a synchronous time retaining means for maintaining generating output electric signals in time relationship upon the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means for the operation or non-operation of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when an input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when an input electric signal is added to another input terminal; an AND-circuit for generating an output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into the high gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the one stage lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into high gear by adding the aforesaid electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the one-stage lower gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into the one-stage lower gear position by adding an electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the high gear position signal and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; and means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; and ANDcircuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; and providing a kickdown signal generator for delivering kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through NOT-means; whereby the said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal from said NOT-means among the signals from NOT-means and said bistable memorial circuit is eliminated, thereby effectuating a kickdown as aforesaid.

United States Patent Shirai et al.

4 5 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH KICKDOWN MECHANISM [72] lnventors: Takeaki Shirai, Nagoya-shi', Shigeru Sakakibara, Chita-gun; Masaaki Noguchi, Nagoya-shi; Masaharu Sumiyoshi, Toyotashi, all of Japan [73] Assignees: Nippon Denso Kabushiki Kaisha; Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichiken, Japan [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 5,460

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 29, 1969 Japan ..44/64l6 [52] US. Cl. ..74/731, 74/752 A, 74/866 [51] Int. Cl ..F16h 47/00, F16h 5/42, 360k 21/00 [58] Field of Search ..74/731, 752 A, 866

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,337 5/1963 Bemmann et al. ..74/866 X 3,301,085 1/1967 De Castelet ..74/866 3,354,744 11/1967 Kuhnle et a1 ..74/866 X 3,420,328 1/1969 Johnson et al. ..74/731 X 3,433,101 3/1969 Scholl et a1 ..74/866 3,448,640 6/1969 Nelson ..74/866 3,478,851 11/1969 Smyth et al. ....74/866 X Primary Examiner-Arthur T. McKeon AtlorneyBlum, Moscovitz, Friedman & Kaplan [5 7] ABSTRACT shaft of transmission, friction engaging means for determining the desired operative gearing for said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve and a distribution valve for distributing the operation 011 into said friction engaging means; a signal generator means for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio and vehicle speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; a synchronous time retaining means for maintaining generating output electric signals in time relationship upon the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means for the operation or non-operation of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when an input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when an input electric signal is added to another input terminal; an AND-circuit for generating an output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into the high gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the one stage lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into high gear by adding the aforesaid electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the one-stage lower gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into the onestage lower gear position by adding an electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorlal circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the high gear position signal and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; and means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; and AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; and providing a kickdown signal generator for delivering kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through NOT-means; whereby the said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal from said NOT-means among the signals from NOT-means and said bistable memorial circuit is eliminated, thereby effectuating a kickdown as aforesaid.

9 Claims, 54 Drawing Figures i v1 on,

l 19 I I Q L 92 l I I l 5,

1 l5 1 g I l 58 55 l 2|[/ 23 l 57 52 l r l 2531 32 34 59 PATENTEDAPR 4 1972 SHEET C20? 40 CONTROL 1 VA LVE 256\ 'T PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE PATENTEDAPR 41912 SHEET OSOF 4O lllllllllll II mm w 2 v 2 l'lll .l'

zschliqgs THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF THE SHAFT 0F HYDRAULIC ToRouE CONVERTEE PUMP NI THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF THE SHAFT 0F HYDRULIC TORQUE PATENTEBAPR 4I9T2 3,653,281

' SHEET new 40 THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF I THE SHAFT 0F HYDRAULIC TORQUE I G 6 B CONVERTER TURBINE N2 B e: 52 h 2 E3 Egg L- a 2 LIJ cur- 5 25 15AM) I -u F l G. 6 0 B58 A O a'e' 0 60 THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF I" 0.85 THE SHAFT 0F HYDRAULIC TORQUE I f CONVERTER TURBINE N 2 H0 I. 0 09) E ,3 Q: HdCn il A o "e Q.) d/' I y (d'C) jg! re 0 Ia'e'uaeI THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS'OF THE SHAFT 0F HYDRAULIC TORQUE CONVERTER TURBINE N2 PATENTEUAPR 4:912

SHEET 080F 10 FIG.IO.

IIIRIIIIL ITITIIIIIHTHUH VAVE INPUT VOLTAGE (a) our ur IJA VE OF THE AMPLI TUE LIMITING CIRCUIT IIAVE OUTPUT VOL TA GE TIME PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 3, 653.281

sum 09 or 40 I FlG.l|. FIG.|2. 4|0 F r-- Mb I 340 N1 T 1 51 I M7 M2 Z Lmirms FIG. l4.

INPUT VOLTAGE -(50LENOID VOLTAGE l I J l DIF F ERENTIA VOLTAGE RECTIFIED VOLTA l I l l l OUTPUT VOLTAGE (9) TIME PATENTEDAPR 4|s12 SHEET 170F 4O SHIFT E 3 0 5 COND 'PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET IBM 40 FIG.24B.

F|G.24A.

FIG.25B.

F|G.25A.

MY h lwmx PATENTEUIPII 4IQI2 v 3,653,281

SHEET 180F110 F I G. 26A.

\ LOU THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF THE SHAFT OF HYDRAULIC TOROUE CONVERTER PUMPN I I 0 55.2 Ma? 5000 COMPUTED IN THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS 0F CAR SPEED THE SHAFT 0F HYDRAULIC TORQUE ma /s CONVERTER TURBINE N (RPM) N I (RPM) 0 954 60 saw COMPUTE IN THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF CAR SPEED THE SHAFT OF HYDRAULIC TORQUE ggkm 5km CONVERTER TURBINE N2 (RPM) THE NUMBER OF REVOLUTIONS OF THE SHAFT OF HYDRAULIC TOROUE CONVERTER PUMP 

1. In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into one of the gear positions from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into another gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into one of the gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the other gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one of the gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal fRom said NOT-circuit included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the one gear state position to the other gear state position.
 2. In a vehicle, an automatic transmission having associated therewith a kickdown mechanism, said vehicle having an engine having an output shaft, said transmission including a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of said transmission, a gearing system friction engaging means for determining and actuating certain of such gearing, an oil pressure operative circuit for controlling the actuation of said friction engaging means and having a manual speed change value determining valve, and a distribution valve for distributing the operative oil into said friction engaging means for actuating the selected gears, a signal generating means for generating electric signals determined by the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and vehicle speed, a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position by and upon detecting the gearing state of said transmission, a synchronous time retaining means for continuing the generating output electric signals in timed relationship upon initiation of the operation of said distribution valve, a bistable memorial circuit for establishing the conductivity or non-conductivity of the means in respect of the operating said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when a first input electric signal is applied to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when a second input signal is added to the other input terminal, an AND-circuit for generating an output signal when the electric signal for speed change into a higher stage gear position from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into one lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for effectuating speed change into the higher stage gear positions by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of bistable memorial circuit, an OR-circuit for generating an output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the lower stage position from said running signal generator is present, an AND-circuit for effectuating speed change into the lower gear position by adding an electric signal to the other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from a higher stage gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between the last named means and said bistable memorial circuit; a kickdown signal generator for applying a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit whereby said distribution valve is brought into non-operable state when the signal from said NOT-means included among the signals from said NOT-circuit and said bistable memorial circuit is erased, thereby to effectuate the kickdown effect from the higher gear state position to the lower gear state position.
 3. A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the engine output shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into sAid friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump and turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operation of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into the high gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the one stage lower gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into high gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for one stage lower gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into one stage lower gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the high gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the high gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from a one higher gear to a one lower gear position.
 4. A vehicle having automatic transmission with kickdown mechanism which comprises providing a transmission with a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump connected to the input shaft, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine connected to the input shaft of transmission; friction engaging means for actuating the gearing of said transmission; an oil pressure operation circuit for controlling said friction engaging means, said circuit having a manual speed change region determining valve, and the distribution valve for distributing the operation oil into said friction engaging means; a signal generator for generating electric signals based on the slip ratio of the hydraulic torque converter pump turbine and car speed; a gear position determining signal generator for generating a gear position electric signal by detecting the gearing state of said transmission; synchronous time retaining means for continuing generating output electric signals for a certain time after the operation of said distribution valve; a bistable memorial circuit for rendering conductive or non-conductive means for operating or discontinuing the operAtion of said distribution valve by erasing the output electric signal when input electric signal is added to one input terminal and by maintaining the generating output electric signal when input electric signal is added to the other terminal thereof; an AND-circuit for generating output electric signal when the electric signal for speed change into one gear state from said signal generator, the electric signal from said synchronous time retaining means, and the electric signal for speed change into the other gear position signal from said signal generator are coexistent for carrying out the speed change into the one gear state by adding said electric signal to said one terminal of said bistable memorial circuit; an OR-circuit for generating output electric signal when one of the electric signals for the other gear position speed change from said running signal generator is present; an AND-circuit for carrying out the speed change into the other gear position by adding electric signal to said other terminal of said bistable memorial circuit by generating the output electric signal when the electric signal from said OR-circuit, the electric signal from the one gear position signal generators and the electric signal from the synchronous time retaining circuit are coexistent; means for operating said bistable memorial circuit and said distribution valve; an AND-circuit between said means and said bistable memorial circuit; an AND-circuit for adding a signal to said AND-circuit through a NOT-circuit; a kickdown signal generator for imparting a kickdown signal to said AND-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for adding output signal to said AND-circuit until the vehicle speed has arrived at the maximum limit capable of cruising in kicked down state; an AND-circuit for applying an output signal to said AND-circuit through said NOT-circuit; an rpm determining computation means for applying a signal when the number of revolutions of the transmission output shaft goes beyond the maximum limit capable of kickdown to said AND-circuit to whereby the one gear position signal from the gear position signal generating means is added to said AND-circuit when kicking from one gear position to the other gear position.
 5. In a vehicle, a hydraulic torque converter having a hydraulic torque converter pump to be driven by an output shaft of an engine of the vehicle, and a hydraulic torque converter turbine driven by said pump, a gear transmission driven by said turbine and having a plurality of gear states some of which are higher than others, kickdown means coacting with said gear transmission for changing the latter from one gear state into a one-stage lower state, detector means coacting with said pump and turbine for detecting the slip ratio therebetween and for generating a corresponding electrical signal, and computer means operatively connected with said kickdown means for actuating the latter according to the presence or absence of a number of conditions, and said computer means being operatively connected with said detector means for receiving therefrom said signal according to the slip ratio for utilizing said signal as one of the conditions for determining actuation of said kickdown means.
 6. The combination of claim 5 and wherein said computer means includes a bistable memorial circuit electrically connected to said kickdown means for controlling the operation thereof, said bistable memorial circuit having a pair of terminals, a pair of AND-circuits operatively connected to said terminals, one of said AND-circuits receiving said slip ratio signal, and high and low gear position circuits respectively connected electrically to said AND-circuits.
 7. The combination of claim 6 and wherein said computer means includes an OR-circuit electrically connected to that one of said AND-circuits which is connected to said high gear position circuit, said OR-circuit receiving some of the slip ratio signals, and the AND-circuit whiCh is connected to said low gear position circuit receiving slip ratio signals directly.
 8. The combination of claim 7 and wherein said bistable memorial circuit has an output connected to said kickdown means and to said high gear position and low gear position circuits, and a NOT circuit interposed in the circuit from said bistable memorial circuit to said low gear position circuit.
 9. The combination of claim 8 and wherein said computer means includes a synchronous time retaining circuit interposed between the output of said bistable memorial circuit and both of said AND-circuits with a second NOT-circuit interposed between said synchronous time retaining circuit and both of said AND-circuits. 